Questions about Activities for Grand Turk

[enzo0210]

Hey everyone... I am looking to develop some activities for Grand Turk, so cruise passengers will have more to do while visiting GT. I would appreciate any ideas... I was going to offer jet ski's, but regulations prevented me from that venture.

 

I currently am thinking about renting floating lounge chairs, wakeboarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, water trampoleans, and/or banana boat rides/towables. Can i get some takes on these ideas or anything you would like to see.

 

I was also thinking about a smoothie-wrap operation.

 

Thanks for any input ... i really appreciate it.

 

Lorenzo

[bruce-r]

Check out what this beach club offers: http://www.paradise-beach-cozumel.com/

 

If you can close to what this club offers, you'll be popular. Check the Cozumel section of cruise critic and look at the posts for "Paradise Beach" for what people think of it.

[enzo0210]

thanks i am looking into that now... i am just trying to have more to offer cruise passengers in GT.

[snorkelman]

Having been on 20 cruises and just returning from Grand Turk, I hope that I can provide you with insight as to what cruisers want. Grand Turk essentially offers VERY LITTLE for the average cruiser. A lot of cruisers like to shop. The stores located immediately around the Carnival pier are a good start, but other than those stores, there is nothing in the means of shopping that I saw.

 

I went on the dune buggy excursion and I think only 8 people could go because that's all the dune buggies that they had. I spoke to MANY people on my cruise who would have done the dune buggies if it wasn't sold out. Most of the other people that I met went on the snorkeling excursion (either the power snorkel or the snorkel with stingrays) and they loved it.

 

Also, cruisers want water sports or ziplines or bungee jumping. Since you really don't have many tall trees that I saw, I suppose that both of these are out. I don't suppose that the government would allow bungee jumping from the lighthouse...

 

I would focus on water sport activities. You should really try and get the regulations overturned about the jetskis because they are a gold mine. Cruise passengers pay $100 for an 30-60 minute "follow the leader" trip on most caribbean destinations. If you could offer jetskis for half the price, you would have 50-100 cruise passengers lined up every day a cruise ship is in port.

 

If you really can't do the jet skis, I would look into parasailing or whatever that is where you drive a boat and pull people behind the boat on some kind of floating device. I did that for 10 minutes for $10 and it was fun and cheap.

 

Younger crowds tend to like more active stuff and older crowds perfer less active stuff. So, since only Carnival and Holland America ships visit your island, you get a good mix. If you want to cash in in the younger, more active cruisers, try and offer some of the stuff I mentioned. There is a reason that people go on Royal Caribbean and trust me it isn't the food! I like RCL because they have rollerblading, rockwalls, ice skating, surfing, etc. These are activities that are not offered on other ships. Since you will not have any RCL ships in your port, it may not matter, but you will certainly have a lot of cruisers who go on Carnival who also cruise on RCL, such as me.

[mamaofami]

We will only be in port from 7am to 2pm. If we leave the boat at around 10, do we have enough time to go to Governor's beach and get back to the boat by 1pm? I'm sure there will be taxis at the pier, but what about getting back? I've heard there aren't a lot of taxis in town.

[tang-bailey]

This is only going to be my second cruise however I can provide my opinion from my perspective.

 

I did a private tour on my last cruise in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico last year and had the best time of my life.

 

The tour kind picked us up at a predetermined location. He then drove us in his own car. He had a cooler stocked with beers, pop and water. Which was free as part of our execursion fee.

 

Our day started out by visiting a couple of landmarks, then we went cave diving and snorkling in some cenotes. Then we went and played with some monkeys, he then took us to a locale restaurant for lunch and I'm talking authentic Mexican food probably his sisters house or something. But it was excellent. After that he took us to swim with the sea turtles which was amazing. Then off again for some more snorkeling. He provided all the equipement including the wetsuits if required. Then we went to a private beach for some swimming completly by ourselves. Finally the day ended with happy hour at another locale restaurant calle dthe buena vita. They had these man made tree house type huts were you could climb up over looking the ocean and half dinner and drinks for 1$.

 

He also had a digital camera and made sure that he mailed us a cd with all the pics he took that day to us.

 

All this for the price of 45$/per person plus 50$ for travelling.

 

We are in our early 30's so you can get an idea of what we really enjoy.

[Sunshineaddict]

Hey everyone... I am looking to develop some activities for Grand Turk, so cruise passengers will have more to do while visiting GT. I would appreciate any ideas... I was going to offer jet ski's, but regulations prevented me from that venture.

 

I currently am thinking about renting floating lounge chairs, wakeboarding, kite surfing, windsurfing, water trampoleans, and/or banana boat rides/towables. Can i get some takes on these ideas or anything you would like to see.

 

I was also thinking about a smoothie-wrap operation.

 

Thanks for any input ... i really appreciate it.

 

Lorenzo

 

I read this thread about a week ago and I can't stop thinking about how good a smoothie would be on the beach!!! Not everyone drinks alcohol and not everyone does it in the blazing sun, either! haha I'll bet kids and adults alike would be there lined up for fruit smoothies.

Just my 2cents....

[CPT Trips]

I know they are popular, but jet skis can ruin a good quiet beach day. Keep the ban, go for the lounges, food and drink, and the non motorized water toys a la Paridise Beach.

Clean rest rooms and changing rooms!

[snowcat]

We were in Grand Turk twice in December on back-to-back cruises. I loved the laid-back, unspoiled atmosphere. I think the floating lounge chairs would have been great. Smoothies would also be good....it was hot in the sun. Some friends of ours wanted to go snorkeling near the pier with us (we have our own gear), but they couldn't find anyplace that rented snorkel gear. We also had a young man approach us and ask if he could rent our gear since he was also wanting to snorkel. Maybe a place that rents snorkel gear, floating mats, kayaks and kids' floating toys? How about an underwater snorkel "trail" that people could follow? We cruise quite often and are always eager to get into the beautiful Caribbean water after the snow and ice of Minnesota. I would also think shops in town would be nice....we took a taxi into the town and enjoyed walking around, but there wasn't much there yet. We like browsing in local shops too. Good luck with your plans!

[PACURN]

I also enjoy touring around islands with a local. Typically seeing the local historic and interesting spots, learning the history, and eating local foods, stuff like that. I don't see anything like that here.

Good Luck with your enterprise. I'm sure you will do well.

[casasle]

I live in Grand Turk and we do NOT want Jet skis or loud parasail boats - not every island has to be "americanized" - Grand Turk should remain quaint with an old world Caribbean charm - granted we need a few more low-key amenities eg: quality shopping for cruise ship folks, stores showcasing local arts and crafts, historical sites restored etc.

I talk to many of the cruise ship people and they find Grand Turk so different and refreshing due to its lack of commercialism.

[PACURN]

I live in Grand Turk and we do NOT want Jet skis or loud parasail boats - not every island has to be "americanized" Ok got that loud and clear.

 

- Grand Turk should remain quaint with an old world Caribbean charm - granted we need a few more low-key amenities eg: quality shopping for cruise ship folks, stores showcasing local arts and crafts, historical sites restored etc.

That would be good. There is nothing worse than junkie trinkets that are "made in China" for sale as souveniers. Local arts and crafts are great. Something original and unique.

Restored historical sites would be great. Local food.

I talk to many of the cruise ship people and they find Grand Turk so different and refreshing due to its lack of commercialism.

 

I imagine it is nice.